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Rain interrupts A's power surge vs. Mariners

Josh Donaldson improved his plate discipline in '12 after his August recall and enters '13 with a chance to win the everyday third base job

By Greg Johns
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MLB.com |

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Third baseman Josh Donaldson unloaded his first two home runs of the spring on Friday before a rain-shortened game was canceled with the A's rolling 12-1 in the fourth inning against the Mariners at Peoria Stadium.

Oakland teed off with four home runs against a group of mostly Minor League candidates for the Mariners, though the rain prevented the A's from officially winning for the fifth time in their past six games. The canceled game nullifies the statistics from this game for both teams.

Seth Smith and Donaldson hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning off Seattle right-hander Hector Noesi, whose rough spring continued as he allowed seven runs [six earned] in two innings.

Donaldson was hitting .050 (1-for-20) coming into the game, but broke out in a big way with a 2-for-3 day with three RBIs on his two blasts.

Noesi, making his fourth Cactus League appearance, gave up five hits, two walks, a wild pitch and hit a batter while surrendering three home runs and throwing 52 pitches.

After going 2-12 with a 5.82 ERA last year for the Mariners, Noesi needed to show something this spring to compete for a rotation berth. But the 26-year-old, acquired in the Jesus Montero-Michael Pineda trade from the Yankees last year, instead has struggled out of the gate.

Former Mariners catcher John Jaso doubled off Noesi to start off the A's five-run rally in the first, with another double by Daric Barton following the homers by Smith and Donaldson.

Donaldson hit his second home run -- a two-run bomb -- in the second inning. Right fielder Shane Peterson added a solo shot in the third off Mariners reliever Chance Ruffin.

Mariners right fielder Casper Wells continued his red-hot week with a solo home run in the second inning off A's starter A.J. Griffin.

Griffin pitched three innings, allowing one run on four hits.

The game was officially called in the top of the fourth inning after the A's had runners on first and second after Michael Choice's two-run home run.

A's up next: Dan Straily has struggled a bit in his first two outings this spring, allowing four runs in 3 2/3 innings. But the numbers don't necessarily tell the story for the A's right-hander. He felt good about his last start, specifically how well he located his glove-side fastball. Straily will get the ball for Oakland on Saturday against the Rangers. First pitch in Surprise, Ariz. is set for 12:05 p.m. PT.